Stirrup.



A. C. SMITH.

STIRRUP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. me.

1,238,58% Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

alien veg AVERY COFFEE SMITH, OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.

STIRRUP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 191W.

Application filed September 15, 1916. Serial N 0. 120,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AvnRY C. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Muscogee and State of Georgia, have invented certain useful Improvements in Stirrups, of which the following is a specification, reference belng had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of stirrups, and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one which will be strong and durable, and which will assist the retention of the foot of the rider within the same under normal circumstances, but which will prevent the foot being caught in the stirru should the rider fall or be thrown from the orse.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claim hereto appended, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which li e reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a perspective view of a stirrup constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing the foot plate in its releasing position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of my stirrup.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the same.

In the drawings, a stirrup yoke is shown comprising side members 1, connected near their upper ends by a front cross plate 2, and joined at their upper ends by a transverse roller 3, around which the strap connecting the stirrup to the saddle is adapted to pass.

A foot plate comprising a base 4 outwardly flaring at its rear, and an upwardly bent front portion 5, and having downwardly extending ears 6 at each side of the front of the base portion, is tiltably mounted between the side members 1, upona bolt 7 extending through the lower portion of the side members 1, and through the ears 6. A nut 8 upon the threaded end of the bolt 7 prevents the removal of the same after the foot plate has been secured in position.

A wire 9, formed with a central loop 10 abutting against the lower side of the foot plate 4, has its ends coiled about opposite ends of the bolt 7 and secured to the adjafoot plate, to tilt the front of th cent side member 1 as shown forming a colled at 11, thereby spring front portion 5 cross plate 2..

hen in use, the foot proved stirrup is normally heldin its downwardly tilted position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, by the loop of the coiled spring engaging against the lower side of the same. When the toe of the shoe is placed upon the rear edge of the foot plate, the latter will be tilted to a substantially horizontal position, in which position the boot of the rider may be readily slid into as the weight of the rider is thrown forward, the foot plate will tend to again tilt forwardly and downwardly, thereby assisting the rider in maintaining his foot in the stirrup. But should the rider be thrown from the horse, his weight being then upon the rear of the stirrup, the foot plate will swing up to its horizontal position, and thus allow the foot of the rider to slide from the stirrup.

I claim:

The combination with a stirrup yoke comprising side members and a front cross member connecting the same, of a bolt connecting the lower portion of the said side members, a foot plate between the said side members comprising a base outwardly flaring at its rear, and an upwardly bent front portion, the said base being tiltably mounted adjacent the rear end upon the said bolt, and a coiled spring upon the said bolt connected at each end to the said side an having an outwardly extending loop adapted to abut against the lower side of the said base, to normally tilt the front of the said foot plate downwardly, the downward and upward movement of the said foot plate being limited by the outwardly flaring rear portion thereof engaging the said side members, and the upwardly bent front portion engaging the said front cross piece respective y.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

AVERY corner. SMITH.

plate of my im- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

